Watership Down’s novel shows Hazel, a Sandleford Warren leader who escaped rabbits. El-ahrairah represents rabbit-kind as a rolemodel and leader. Hazel is the one Watership Down rabbits look to for guidance and direction when making decisions or planning. Hazel is figuratively Elahrairah to Watership Down rabbits for his cunning plans, inspiring devotion and unwavering leadership.

Nearly all of Hazel’s plots are influenced by Elahrairah’s stories that are told through several rabbits. Chapter 41 is the chapter where the story of Rowsby Woof and the Fairy Wogdog begins. This is right before Hazel’s plan to use the Nuthanger dog farm dog as an ally in the fight against Woundwort. It is obvious that El-ahrairah was using Rowsby Wolf to feed his friends and family, while Hazel used Bob the farm dog for battle. Both rabbits thought beyond what most may have done, and demonstrated a unique method of thinking in which they found a way to turn a creature commonly regarded as “elil” into an extremely useful tool to benefit themselves and their warrens.El-ahrairah’s incredible devotion to his people is also reflected through Hazel’s hard work and care for his warren. Chapter 31 tells the story of El-ahrairah, who sacrifices his ears and tail to save the Black Rabbit. He hopes that this will help him find a way to end the suffering of his warren under King Darzin’s control. El-ahrairah demonstrates he cares about the welfare of others and will sacrifice his ears, tail and whiskers to help the Black Rabbit. This same selflessness and unwavering chivalry is evident in each of Hazel’s Nuthanger farm missions. Hazel is trying to do the warren’s work when he gets his leg injured (Adams 221). Hazel encounters an aggressive farm cat while on his way to Nuthanger farm for Chapter 45. Hazel is aware of the vendetta this cat has against him. However, he understands that Watership Down is best placed to beat the Efrafans by having the Nuthanger dog.

Hazel’s unwavering love and devotion to his rabbit warren is very similar to El-ahrairah’s caring for his family. Hazel has a history of standing up for the little rabbits in the warren. Fiver is not questioned by Hazel when he shares a “bad feeling” with him, and Hazel scolds other rabbits who make fun of him or doubt him. Hazel brings Pipkin along on one of his trips to Nuthanger farm. He knows that he could bring a bigger, more powerful rabbit but instead chose to see Pipkin as a useful and shaky individual (Adams 196). Hazel does not like seeing his friends suffer and is determined to do everything he can to help them. El-ahriarah demonstrates that same caring nature when he stands against Frith (Adams 28). His wit and intelligence earn his people the ability to run faster than their enemies, once the elil become hazardous. El-ahrairah has many children and is concerned for their safety. El-ahrairah begins Chapter 31 by risking his life once more to deliver a few grass sprigs to a doe (and her family) whose father has been killed. El-ahrairah has a remarkable leadership style and is always there for his people, just as Hazel.

Although El-ahrairah is slightly different from Hazel, their leadership style and morals are almost identical. They are selfless and dedicated to their people. Hazel’s heroics prove that legendary leadership can emerge in unexpected places, such as Adams’ humble but heroic rabbit world.

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  • louiedawson

    Hi, my name is Louie Dawson and I'm an educational blogger and school teacher. I've been writing and teaching kids about stuff like math, science, history, and English since 2010. I hope you enjoy my work!

A Leader To Lead Them All: Hazel And El-ahrairah
louiedawson

louiedawson


Hi, my name is Louie Dawson and I'm an educational blogger and school teacher. I've been writing and teaching kids about stuff like math, science, history, and English since 2010. I hope you enjoy my work!


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